I am 16 years old and have been boarding a horse for about 3 months. yesterday, the owner of the horse just came and picked his horse up and left to bring him to another boarding area. he never talked to me about it as i was the one caring for his horse, instead he told my dad he was leaving because we are just too far away and he doesn't get to spend enough time with his horse. we only live 12 miles from his city and it is a straight shot on a newly paved road and we are about 1/2 a mile off the pavement. i really thought he was going to be a permanent boarder, he was a good family friend and i really grew to him and his horse, i just don't understand how he could just up and leave. there are 2 other boarders around the 30 mile radius of hutch (who advertise) and they charge about $150/month and that includes the grain and hay and cleaning and turn out of stall. i am going to advertise again for boarding. what should my flyer say? what kind of amenities are basically needed for board?
2006-12-11 08:37:32 · 7 answers · asked by horsegal08 2 in Pets ➔ Other - Pets
You are never going to able to keep every boarder happy with everything you do. To me, the 12 mile drive would be nothing, to some it is a long haul. I would recommend drawing up a contract that stipulates what you can provide, and what you expect the boarder to do. Everyone has different ideas of what you have to have for boarding, however the most important person in this right now is you. What you are willing to do dictates what you charge for. Ask your friends who have horses, the guy who just left, your parents, etc, what they expect, what they are willing to pay, etc. If you have an indoor, outdoor or trails, you can charge more than just a barn and pasture. If you expect your boarders to buy their own feed and hay, vs you providing it, your prices will be different. Remember, you goal is to keep your boarders happy most of the time. Boarders understand that you are ultimately in charge of your property and the safety of anyone on your property. Most boarders board because they cannot, don't want to, or won't keep their horse at their house. They understand that they are infringing on your property and are willing to pay for whatever services you provide, you just have to determine what you realistically can do. Best of luck
2006-12-11 09:12:53 · answer #1 · answered by skachicah35 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You need a sort of contract that makes him give you at least a 15 day warning or something along those lines. For boarders, you need a contract- your library or online sites should have examples, and fit them to your needs. If you don't have a contract, you could get sued, etc.
150 a month is very very cheap for a stall board. I pay $300 here. Look at what you can offer. If it is the exact same as the other barns, charge 150. If you have a smaller indoor or outdoor arena, charge less. If you don't have stalls, charge even less.
I am in college and have moved my horse around a lot over the past 4 yrs. I mostly moved because I had to follow and find a stable job where I kept my horse. Distance and price for what I was getting was definately two things that I watched out for.
For some estimates in my area, $200-250 a month is for outside pasture board, with a shelter and includes feed and use of an indoor and outdoor arena. The same, with no indoor arena is about $180. For stalling your horse with cleaning, feed, daily turnout, etc with an indoor and outdoor arena is $300-$350 a month.
You can see the major price differences in types of board, and just apply it to your barn in the same ratio with the ones advertising for $150/month. It would help the question out a lot if you told us what you had.
On your flyer- list everything you have- friendly, low key atmosphere?, 12x12 stalls?, trails?, grassy pastures? group or individual turnout? host shows? jumps? Just list what you have- people look for different things in boarding.
Good luck on your advertising!
2006-12-11 15:13:10 · answer #2 · answered by D 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I sense that you are upset about this, but it probably is a purely pragmatic decision. I moved my horse from a facility twelve miles away to one only five miles away and it's made a huge difference in the amount of time I can spend with my animal. Any boarding facility I would deal with--in addition to the basics of food, water, cleaning--would ideally have a large turn out area, access to trails and riding arena, a safe tack storage area and preferably a round pen for training. What do you offer that other area stables don't? Play up your strengths on your flier: your years of experience, personal attention, etc. Good luck!
2006-12-11 08:55:07 · answer #3 · answered by qiyue12 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Your flyer should state what you have to offer. $150 a month including grain and hay as well as care is CHEAP compared to here in Georgia!
Yes, a contract would be a good idea. I would spell out what you will provide for what fee, and what the boarder is expected to do (such as pay for own vet.) In the contract have the boarder give you the number for the vet they prefer. Have them sign a waiver of liability regarding natural disaster (such as his horse being struck by lightning, etc.)
I'd advise against stallions if you have more than one boarder. They cause so much trouble.
Also, don't take it personally when people decide to leave. It is rude, however, for them to give you no notice. Have them pay a month's deposit - or a half month's deposit - refundable if they give you a notice. That will encourage them to do so.
2006-12-11 08:48:51 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Im looking for a place to board right now, so I will tell you what I am looking for and maybe that will help you to know what some people might want. I want a barn with turn-out for the horses, a well lite indoor arean and hopefully an outdoor arean as well. I would like them to have a roundpen and the barn to be kept clean. If the barn holds clinics that is a plus. Don't know if that helps, but if I see a flyer with that on it I would be there!
2006-12-11 13:48:44 · answer #5 · answered by bandit 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
if he was a family friend, he was probably truthful in his reasoning for leaving! advertise what you offer, and maybe give a lower first month or two introductory price for new boarders! talk about location, facilities, and how you plan to take care of the horses. you will just have to wait for an opportunity to arise!.....props for taking this on at 16 too
2006-12-11 11:03:37 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
You should have a boarding contract where the boarders have to give you 30 days notice to leave.
I have left boarding stables for various reasons. Location was the main one.
2006-12-11 08:41:00 · answer #7 · answered by msnite1969 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋